Shulchan Aruch by Widow Levin Epstein and Sons (Rare Vilnius Edition, Two-Volume Set), 1879 📜✡️🕍

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim by Rabbi Joseph Caro (Rare 2-Volume Set, Vilna Edition), 1879 📜✡️🇺🇸

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare 2-volume set of Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, a classic legal code of Jewish law.

Published in Vilna, Lithuania in 1879 by the renowned Romm Press, this set holds both religious and historical significance.

Its status is elevated by a Milwaukee, Wisconsin stamp and a handwritten inscription. The stamp indicating an AGENT FOR Deutsch-Amerik Wechsel Bank, OF NEW YORK, 672 E. WATER ST., MILWAUKEE, WIS.

The books are not merely a legal code. They are a primary source document for the history of Jewish thought and the spread of religious texts in the 19th century. This set is a highly desirable centerpiece for any serious collection focused on Jewish history and religious scholarship.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Shulchan Aruch, or "The Set Table," is a foundational code of Jewish law. This two-volume set contains the Orach Chaim section.

This section deals with Jewish rituals and prayers for the entire year, including the laws of prayer, Sabbath, and holidays. This edition is particularly notable for its dual-language text, with titles in both Hebrew and Russian.

The book's content reflects a sophisticated blend of religious tradition and academic rigor. The text is a synthesis of legal codes and scholarly opinions. This publication made complex legal concepts accessible to a wider audience. The book's printing was supervised by the Romm Press, a publishing house known for the high quality of its Hebrew publications.

3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨

The primary author of Shulchan Aruch is Rabbi Joseph Caro (1488-1575). He was a leading legal scholar and mystic of the 16th century. His work systematized Jewish law, making it more accessible and widely accepted.

This specific edition was published by The Widow and Brothers Romm, one of the most famous Jewish publishing families in the Russian Empire.

The Romm Press was based in Vilna (today Vilnius, Lithuania), which was a major center of Jewish intellectual life. They were known for their commitment to publishing high-quality, authoritative editions of classic Jewish texts. The work of Rabbi Joseph Caro and the Romm family together reflects a dedication to both tradition and the spread of knowledge.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This book's publication in 1879 places it during a time of significant change for the Jewish community. The Russian Empire, where Vilna was located, was undergoing a period of intense social and political pressure. Increased censorship and anti-Semitic policies were common. The 1879 publication date is just a few years before the massive wave of Jewish emigration to the United States.

The book's subsequent journey to the United States, as evidenced by the Milwaukee, Wisconsin stamp, is a direct link to this history. It provides a unique window into the lives of Jewish immigrants who carried their books and traditions with them. This set is an artifact of a time when Jewish communities were being profoundly reshaped by migration and the search for freedom.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a fit for a scholar of Jewish history or a collector of rare Hebraica and Judaica.

It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book’s historical weight and its capacity to tell a story of cultural transmission. Its status as a 2-volume set from a major publishing house appeals to a collector interested in the intersection of Jewish religious history and American social history.

This is an artifact for a collector who seeks items that are both intellectually significant and emotionally resonant. Its presence on a shelf signals a deep interest in the history of Jewish law and community.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1879 two-volume set of Shulchan Aruch is a very rare find due to its age, content, and unique history. As a complete set, it is more scarce than single volumes on the market.

The book is 146 years old, having survived the sociopolitical changes of the 20th century.

The value is derived from its distinguished place in the history of Jewish publishing and the added historical context provided by its connection to a Milwaukee, Wisconsin book agent.

The price is a direct reflection of its scarcity. Finding a complete set in this condition is a significant challenge. This book is a non-replicable asset. Its importance as a historical and religious resource ensures its continued value.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This set is a genuine survivor, showing authentic wear consistent with books from the 19th century.

• The hardcover bindings are worn and scuffed.

• The binding of one volume is loose, though it has not detached from the text block.

• The spine lettering is present but faded.

• The pages show significant toning and foxing, which is natural for paper from this period.

• The interior pages are generally clean, with no major tears or markings.

• The text block is firm and sound.

• There are blue and purple stamps on the inside covers.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The Shulchan Aruch is one of the most widely accepted codes of Jewish law. It has been used as a guide for Jewish religious life for centuries.

• The Romm Press in Vilna was known as a major hub of Jewish printing. They produced thousands of titles and were a key force in the dissemination of Jewish knowledge.

• The book's journey to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, connects it to the history of Jewish immigration to the United States. Many of the books that came with immigrants became foundational texts for new American Jewish communities.

• The stamp of H. Schlomovitz links the book to a specific individual and business in the 19th-century American Jewish community.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim

• Author/Maker: Rabbi Joseph Caro

• Year: 1879

• Publisher/Foundry: The Widow and Brothers Romm

• Place of Origin: Vilna, Russian Empire (now Vilnius, Lithuania)

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, 2-volume set, no dust jackets

• Edition: N/A (Vilna edition)

• Rarity: Very Rare

10. Handwritten Inscription:

The notes are in a mixture of Hebrew, Yiddish, and English. The number "1889" is visible on one of the notes.

• Stamp Transcription:

  • H. Schlomovitz, AGENT FOR Deutsch-Amerik Wechsel Bank, OF NEW YORK, 672 E. WATER ST., MILWAUKEE, WIS.

• Hebrew/Russian Transcription: The title page contains both Hebrew and Russian text.

  • Hebrew: שולחן ערוך אורח חיים חלק ראשון

    • (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Part 1)

  • Russian: ШУЛХАНЪ АРУХЪ, ОРАХЪ ХАИМЪ. т. е. Обряды религіозной жизни евреевъ. Часть I. Съ виленскаго изданія 1874 года. 1879.

    • (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim. i.e. Rites of the religious life of the Jews. Part I. From the Vilna edition of 1874. 1879.)

• • Russian: ШУЛХАНЪ АРУХЪ, ОРАХЪ ХАИМЪ. т. е. Обряды религіозной жизни евреевъ. Часть I. Съ виленскаго изданія 1874 года. 1879.

    • (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim. i.e. Rites of the religious life of the Jews. Part I. From the Vilna edition of 1874. 1879.)